This weekend’s races at Ruidoso Downs Race Track will be highlighted by the Zia Festival and approximately $1 million in stakes purse money to be won by owners, breeders and trainers of New Mexico-bred race horses.

     Here are the state-bred races that are scheduled for this weekend to be run on Saturday and Sunday.

     Saturday, July 22:

      $50,000   Sierra Starlet

      $50,000    Zia Stakes

      $50,000    Sierra Blanca Stakes

      $205,419  Zia Derby (Grade-II)

      $50,000     Land of Enchantment Stakes

Sunday, July 23:

      $50,000 Zia 870 Championship

      $50,000 Road Runner Stakes

      $50,000 Zia Quarter Horse Juvenile

      $50,000 Lincoln Stakes

    $386,720 Zia Quarter Horse Futurity

     Meanwhile, a digital catalog is now available online for the New Mexico-bred Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred sale to be held Friday and Saturday, August 11th and 12th at the All American Ruidoso Horse Sale Company pavilion.

     Approximately 250 yearling quarter horses and thoroughbreds will be offered through a consignment auction. For a complete listing of the horses being offered along with the breeding and connections of each yearling visit www.raceruidoso.com. Prospective buyers can request to be mailed a printed sale catalog by calling 575-378-4474.

     The horse auction will begin each day following the races that weekend that include trials for the $3 million All American Futurity, the $800,000 (est) All American Derby and the $500,000 (est) All American Oaks.

    This weekend’s races will begin with a ten-race card on Friday with first post at 1 p.m.. The Zia Festival will be held on Saturday and Sunday with first post at 12:30 p.m.

    Also this weekend, country music star Randall King and George Ducas will perform in the Events Center located across from the grandstand on Saturday evening at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at the box office or at 575-378-4140.